I have chosen an X-men lineup--Cyclops, Jean Grey, Nightcrawler, Beast, Iceman, Storm, Wolverine and Jubilee, that provides for the greatest degree of contrast of personality, with each of the characters capable of filling a very distinct, even archetypical role in the story, in an ensemble configuration not all too different from that of Star Trek, which is a useful model, in my opinion, for this type of film. I intend to make sure that each X-man gets a chance to come alive as a real character, mostly by focusing on the small details of personality, the everyday humdrum routine of being a fabulously superpowered mutant. It is to make room for this that I have stripped away the super-powered villain layer--a risk, I know, but one that I feel pays off. The next movie, building on this one, can introduce Magneto, Sabretooth, and the others. Personally I am a little weary of megalomaniacs bent on world domination--I think we've all seen enough of them (on screen and in Hollywood).
